The Nedbank Finish Zone in Swakopmund is at Platz am Meer. Once you cross the finish banner your time will be recorded. The time of the last rider of a team to cross the finish line will be recorded as the team's time.

Cut-off time is 15h00 on Saturday. All riders who have not reached the finish line by then will be recorded as non-finishers.

Prize Giving

Prize giving and lucky draws will take place in the Finisher Tent and will start at 16h00. This gives the last riders to finish some time to catch a breather and relax before the start of Prize giving.

Start Zone

Support Vehicles

Event marshals will direct your support vehicle to the parking area at the Grove Shopping Centre.

Support vehicles must leave for Checkpoint #1 at latest 14h30 (30 minutes before the start of the race). If the support vehicle leaves later than that it has to stay behind the sweep vehicle until Checkpoint #1 - your team will NOT be impressed.

Stage 1

Stage 1 starts at the parking area of the Grove Shopping Centre in Kleine Kuppe with a neutral zone until you turn left at the Western Bypass / Kupferberg intersection. The route then winds it's way up to the top of the Kupferberg pass till it reaches Checkpoint 1.

All the riders have to ride this stage.

All the riders of a team need to sign in TOGETHER at Checkpoint 1. If you raced ahead you'll have to wait for your team mates before you'll be allowed to sign-in.

Stage 2starts from Checkpoint #1, follows the D1982 gravel road and ends at Checkpoint #2 just past the second bridge at the Kuiseb river crossing. A strong headwind might be encountered on this stage. At around the 34km mark you'll reach Waterpoint #1 just before the descent down the Us pass. For the back markers nightfall will arrive on this stage.

Portable flush toilets are available.

Once the complete team has signed in at Checkpoint #1, the first designated rider of the team departs on Stage 2.

Team Support Vehicle leaves for Checkpoint #2

Important Notice: 2 Person Team Support Vehicles must continue on the C26 via Gamsberg pass to checkpoint 3. Please see route directions on OVERVIEW map.

No support vehicles for Solo riders and 2 Person Teams allowed at this Checkpoint.

Dedicated refreshment station exclusively for Solo and 2 Person riders

Stage 4ends at Checkpoint #4 in the Namib Naukluft Park. Note: The route does not follow the D1985 but stay on the D1982 towards Waterpoint 3 at around 26km. Depending on the condition of the road it can be a little soft and therefore deceptive in the dark. You will meet up with you support vehicle at Checkpoint 4.

Portable flush toilets are available.

2 & 4 Person Teams: Once the stage rider has signed in at Checkpoint 3, the next designated rider of the team departs on Stage 4.

Team Support Vehicle leaves for Checkpoint 4

Support vehicles will follow a different route on this stage. At Checkpoint 3 the support vehicles turn to the right into the D1985 road. After 23km on this road you'll reach an intersection where you'll turn left into the C28 road towards the West. Support vehicles that follow the 'rider only' route via Waterpoint 3 will have their riders disqualified immediately. Support vehicles to stay off this route.

All riders need to ensure they receive a 'route check' sticker from a waterpoint official at this waterpoint. Should you arrive at the finish zone without this sticker, you'll be disqualified. So please check that you have the sticker before leaving the waterpoint.

At the Langer Heinrich intersection cyclists will be directed onto the track following a pipeline. This is a few meters off the main road and will keep you out of the way of the normal mine traffic. Support vehicles will follow the main road and meet their riders at Checkpoint 5. Route maps will be available in the racebook handed to each team.

This last stage will tap your energy as it consists of some sandy patches and quite a few climbs with steep crests as the route zig-zags towards Swakopmund. Keep some energy in the tank for this one!

All the riders in the 2- and 4-person teams ride this stage together so at least you'll have the rest of your team with you to keep the spirits high. Once you've reached town you'll follow the route along the outskirts of Swakopmund to Checkpoint 6 where you'll receive a 'route completed' marker. From there you proceed to the Nedbank Finish Zone of the Nedbank Desert Dash, where your official time will be recorded.

Once the stage rider has signed in at Checkpoint 5, all the riders of the team depart on Stage 6 and stay together until the Finish Zone where the time of the last team rider to cross the finish line will be recorded as the team's finishing time.

Team Support Vehicle leaves for the Nedbank Finish Zone in Swakopmund.

No support vehicles are allowed to follow the riders down the river. This is National Park area and disregard for this rule will not be tolerated. Support vehicles found on this route will lead to disqualification of their rider/s. The support vehicle route is indicated in the race booklet.

No waterpoints on this stage.

There are two 'Route complete' checkpoints on this stage. All riders need to ensure they receive a 'route complete' sticker from an official at each of these Checkpoints. Should you arrive at the finish zone without these stickers, you'll be disqualified. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the sticker on your number board before leaving the checkpoint.

Stage 3starts at Checkpoint 2 and ends at Checkpoint 3 at the D1985 T-junction. You'll reach Waterpoint 2 after about 36km. This section is regarded by many riders as the toughest with many short, steep climbs and descents as the route criss-crosses valleys and rivers of the Khomas Hochland.

Portable flush toilets are available.

4 Person Team: Once the stage rider has signed in at Checkpoint #2, the next designated rider of the team departs on Stage 3.

2 Person Team: 1st desginated rider of the team will continue on Stage 3.

Team Support Vehicle leaves for Checkpoint #3

Solo riders and 2 Person Teams will meet their support vehicles for the first time at Checkpoint 3 (about 175km after the start).

Stage 5ends at Checkpoint 5. Waterpoint 4 will be reached after 45km. The route still follows the infamous pipeline as in 2011 but only for about 15km. Thereafter the route veers away into the desert towards Checkpoint 5.

Portable flush toilets are available.

4 Person Teams: Once the stage rider has signed in at Checkpoint 4, the next designated rider of the team departs on Stage 5.

2 Person Team: 2end desginated rider of the team will continue on Stage 5.